International Profile

The University of California, Santa Barbara combines breathtaking natural beauty and enormous intellectual vitality. There is no other campus quite like it. At UC Santa Barbara, we educate and challenge bright students to make a difference in the world and achieve to the limits of their potential. The UCSB campus provides an exciting environment for students to learn and grow. With a strong commitment to undergraduate education and a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, professors are accessible and responsive to the needs of their students.

A community of scholarsAn integral part of the 10-campus University of California system, UC Santa Barbara is an internationally recognized leader in teaching and research and is distinguished by its interdisciplinary programs and a commitment to innovation. UCSB is one of only 62 research-intensive institutions elected to membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities. Faculty include six Nobel Laureates, winners of the Millennium Technology Prize and Fields Medal, dozens of Guggenheim and Fulbright Fellows, and scores of elected members or fellows of elite national and international academies and associations. The campus is also home to 11 national centers and institutes, several of which are sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

A climate of inquiryUC Santa Barbara offers more than 200 majors, degrees, and credentials through three colleges (Creative Studies, Engineering, and Letters and Science) and two professional schools (the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management and the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education). UCSB has a tradition of emphasizing both undergraduate and graduate programs in a friendly and collegial environment in which students, staff, and faculty members from diverse backgrounds and perspectives explore and learn together.

AdmissionUC Santa Barbara is a highly selective institution, and the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of places we have available for new students. We look for very high scholastic achievement, depth and breadth of preparatory course work, and excellent test scores. See admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/applying/international for admission requirements.

LOCATION

UCSB’s unique features—its residential character, its stunning oceanside setting, its location removed from urban pressures yet poised for action on the Pacific Rim—together create a rich environment where living and learning are intertwined. The campus is located on the Pacific Ocean just 100 miles north of Los Angeles. A friendly and stimulating intellectual environment helps students make the most of many educational, social, cultural, and recreational activities. Santa Barbara, California, offers extraordinary weather and a healthy lifestyle amid the cultural resources of a sophisticated city.

AT A GLANCE

Type of University: Public four-year research institution; established in 1944, UC Santa Barbara is part of the 10-campus University of California system, one of the largest and most respected public universities in the world.

Size of Campus: 1,055 acres on the California coast

Number of Students: 20,238 undergraduates and 2,813 graduate students

Number of Faculty: 1,088 total; in addition to six Nobel Laureates, UCSB’s faculty include many elected members or fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (31), the National Academy of Sciences (39), the National Academy of Engineering (27), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (90).

Colleges, Programs, and Degrees: More than 200 majors, degrees, and credentials are offered through UCSB’s five schools and the Graduate Division.

Geographic Diversity: UCSB is a culturally diverse campus, enrolling students from across the globe. California residents make up 91% of the student population, while 4% are domestic U.S. and 5% are international students. UCSB’s international students come from 79 different countries.

International Student Services: The Office of International Students and Scholars assists international students with visa issues, academic advising, internship assistance, and enrichment activities to ensure a successful transition to campus life. International students receive guaranteed placement in university housing. Detailed information is available at oiss.sa.ucsb.edu.

Financial Aid: UCSB offers the Regents Scholarship to freshman applicants, including international students. This prestigious merit-based award recognizes the academic achievements of top freshmen who are offered admission to UCSB. Students do not apply for the Regents Scholarship; eligibility is calculated automatically as part of the admission process.

Test Score Requirements: (See admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/applying/international for detailed information.)• SAT Reasoning or ACT with Writing is required for all freshman applicants. Students taking the new SAT (launching March 2016) will be required to complete the optional Writing section.• SAT Subject Tests are recommended for applicants to the College of Engineering and the College of Creative Studies.• International students must demonstrate proficiency in English by completing the TOEFL with a score of 80 or the IELTS with a score of 6.5.

Application Deadlines and fees:UCSB accepts applications for the fall quarter only. • Applications are due between November 1–30. • The application fee is $80.